Rory Lawson has held on to the captain's armband for Scotland's crunch Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Argentina in Wellington on Saturday.

It had been assumed that regular skipper Alastair Kellock would be recalled for the meeting with the Pumas having been left out of the 22 for last week's 15-6 victory over Georgia. However, he has again been omitted from Scotland's match-day squad, with head coach Andy Robinson opting to pair Richie Gray and Jim Hamilton in the second-row, with Nathan Hines providing cover from the bench. Consequently, Lawson, who has been paired with Ruaridh Jackson in the half-backs, will continue as skipper.

As well as the return of Gray and Jackson, at the expense of Hines and Dan Parks respectively, there are three other changes to the side which defeated Georgia. Chris Paterson reclaims the No.15 jersey from Rory Lamont, Geoff Cross takes over at tight-head prop from Euan Murray and openside flanker John Barclay slots back into the back-row in place of Ross Rennie.

Robinson commented: "I have picked a team to beat Argentina - the selection is simply about this match and we must view it as another match, while affording our opponents the respect they deserve.

"We have met Argentina five times since the last Rugby World Cup so we both know each others' styles and strengths. Of course we can draw confidence from our victories in Tucuman and Mar del Plata last year as Argentina will retain happy memories from their win at Murrayfield in 2009.

"I also believe that Argentina - as they have demonstrated already in the last two months - are a better team than we faced on their soil last year."